Chapter 115 Sewer Use

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Chapter 115 Sewer Use Ch 115 Art I Definitions And Word Usage Ch 115 Art II Use Of Public Sewers Ch 115 Art III Private Sewage Disposal Ch 115 Art IV Use Of Public Sewers Ch 115 Art V Building Sewers And Connections Ch 115 Art VI Protection From Damage Ch 115 Art VII Powers And Authority Of Inspectors Ch 115 Art VIII Enforcement Ch 115 Art IX FOG Prevention [HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of Centreville 11-14-1974 by Ord. No. 407. Amendments noted where applicable.] GENERAL REFERENCES Water and sewers — See Charter Article IX and Ch. 118. Building construction — See Ch. 28. Stormwater management — See Ch. 132. Subdivision regulations — See Ch. 138. Ch 115 Art I Definitions And Word Usage 115-1 Definitions 115-2 Word Usage 115-1 Definitions Unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the meaning of terms used in this chapter shall be as follows: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMP) MANUAL. The BMP requirements and recommended practices issued to all commercial food establishments. [Added 3-24-2016 by Ord. No. 08-2015] BOD (denoting biochemical oxygen demand). The quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter under standard laboratory procedure in five days at 20° C., expressed in milligrams per liter. BUILDING DRAIN. Part of the lowest horizontal piping of a drainage system which receives the discharge from soil, waste, and other drainage pipes inside the walls of the building and conveys it to the building sewer, beginning five feet (1.5 meters) outside the inner face of the building wall. BUILDING SEWER. The extension from the building drain to the public sewer or other place of disposal. COMBINED SEWER. A sewer receiving both surface runoff and sewage. COMMERCIAL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT (CFE). Any facility that prepares, packages, serves and/or provides foods or beverages for sale or consumption on or off-site, including, but not limited to, restaurants, food courts, food manufacturers, food packagers, grocery stores, hospitals, hotels, nursing homes, churches, schools and correctional facilities. [Added 3-24-2016 by Ord. No. 08-2015] FATS, OILS AND GREASE (FOG). A material, either liquid or solid, composed primarily of fats, oil and grease from animal or vegetable sources. [Added 3-24-2016 by Ord. No. 08-2015] GARBAGE. Solid wastes from the domestic and commercial preparation, cooking, and dispensing of food, and from the handling, storage, and sale of produce. GREASE TRAP. A trap in a drain or waste pipe to prevent grease from passing into the sewer system. The grease trap must comply with Queen Anne's County, state and Environmental Protection Agency, and industry standards. [Added 3-24-2016 by Ord. No. 08-2015] INDUSTRIAL WASTES. The liquid wastes from industrial manufacturing processes, trade, or business as distinct from sanitary sewage. INTERFERENCE. A discharge which, alone or in conjunction with a discharge or discharges from other sources, inhibits or disrupts the sewage works, its treatment processes or operations or its sludge processes, use or disposal and hence causes a violation of the Town's NPDES Permits or prevents sewage sludge use or disposal in compliance with any federal, state or local statutory/regulatory provisions or permits. [Added 3-24-2016 by Ord. No. 08-2015] NATURAL OUTLET. Any outlet into a watercourse, pond, ditch, lake or other body of surface or groundwater. PERSON. Any individual, firm, company, association, society, corporation, or group. pH. The logarithm of the reciprocal of the weight of hydrogen ions in grams per liter of solution. PROPERLY SHREDDED GARBAGE. The wastes from the preparation, cooking, and dispensing of food that have been shredded to such a degree that all particles will be carried freely under the flow conditions normally prevailing in public sewers, with no particle greater than 1/2 inch (1.27 centimeters) in any dimension. PUBLIC SEWER. A sewer in which all owners of abutting properties have equal rights and is controlled by public authority. SANITARY SEWER. A sewer which carries sewage and to which stormwater, surface water, and groundwater are not intentionally admitted. SEPTAGE. Material removed from septic tanks, cesspools, holding tanks, or other sewage treatment storage units. [Added 3-24-2016 by Ord. No. 08-2015] SEPTAGE HAULER. Any licensed person engaged in the removal or transportation of septage. [Added 3-24-2016 by Ord. No. 08-2015] SEWAGE. A combination of the water-carried wastes from residence, business buildings, institutions, and industrial establishments, together with such groundwater, surface water, and stormwater as may be present. SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT. Any arrangement of devices and structures used for treating sewage. SEWAGE WORKS. All facilities for collecting, pumping, treating, and disposing of sewage. SEWER. A pipe or conduit for carrying sewage. SLUG. Any discharge of water, sewage, or industrial waste which in concentration of any given constituent or in quantity of flow exceeds for any period of duration longer than 15 minutes more than five times the average twenty-four-hour concentration or flows during normal operation. STORM DRAIN (SOMETIMES TERMED "STORM SEWER"). A sewer which carries storm and surface waters and drainage, but excludes sewage and industrial wastes, other than unpolluted cooling water. SUPERINTENDENT. The Superintendent of Sewage Works of the Town of Centreville, or his authorized deputy, agent, or representative. SUSPENDED SOLIDS. Solids that either float on the surface of or are in suspension in water, sewage, or other liquids, and which are removable by laboratory filtering. TOWN. The Town of Centreville, a municipal corporation, its duly authorized officers or agents. [Added 3-24-2016 by Ord. No. 08-2015] WATERCOURSE. A channel in which a flow of water occurs, either continuously or intermittently. 115-2 Word Usage "Shall" is mandatory; "may" is permissive. Ch 115 Art II Use Of Public Sewers 115-3 Deposit Of Objectionable Waste Prohibited 115-4 Discharge To Natural Outlets Restricted 115-5 Privies And Cesspools Prohibited 115-6 Installation Of Toilet Facilities; Connection To Public Sewer 115-3 Deposit Of Objectionable Waste Prohibited It shall be unlawful for any person to place, deposit, or permit to be deposited in any unsanitary manner on public or private property within the Town of Centreville, or in any area under the jurisdiction of said Town, any human or animal excrement, garbage, or other objectionable waste. 115-4 Discharge To Natural Outlets Restricted It shall be unlawful to discharge to any natural outlet within the Town of Centreville, or in any area under the jurisdiction of said Town, any sewage or other polluted waters, except where suitable treatment has been provided in accordance with subsequent provisions of this chapter. 115-5 Privies And Cesspools Prohibited Except as hereinafter provided, it shall be unlawful to construct or maintain any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool, or other facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage. 115-6 Installation Of Toilet Facilities; Connection To Public Sewer The owner of all houses, buildings, or properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purposes, situated within the Town which are abutting on any street, alley, or right-of-way in which there is now located or may in the future be located a public sanitary or combined sewer of the Town, is hereby required at his expense to install suitable toilet facilities therein and to connect such facilities directly with the proper public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, within 60 days after the date of the official notice to do so. Ch 115 Art III Private Sewage Disposal 115-7 Connection To Private System 115-8 Permit Required 115-9 Inspection Of Installation 115-10 Compliance With State Regulations 115-11 Connection To Public Sewer When Available; Abandonment And Filling Of Private Facilities 115-12 Sanitary Operation Required 115-13 Additional Requirements Of Health Officer 115-14 Connection Of Building Sewer To Public Sewer 115-15 Conformance To Certain Regulations Required 115-16 Inspection Of Building Sewer Prior To Connection 115-17 Guarding Of Excavations; Restoration Of Disturbed Property 115-7 Connection To Private System Where a public sanitary or combined sewer is not available under the provisions of § 115-6, the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the provisions of this article. 115-8 Permit Required Before commencement of construction of a private sewage disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the Superintendent. The application for such permit shall be made on a form furnished by the Town, which the applicant shall supplement by any plans, specifications, and other information as is deemed necessary by the Superintendent. A permit and inspection fee at the current applicable rate shall be paid to the Town at the time the application is filed. 115-9 Inspection Of Installation A permit for a private sewage disposal system shall not become effective until the installation is completed to the satisfaction of the Superintendent. He shall be allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction, and in any event, the applicant for the permit shall notify the Superintendent when the work is ready for final inspection, and before any underground portions are covered. The inspection shall be made within 72 hours of the receipt of the notice by the Superintendent. 115-10 Compliance With State Regulations The type, capacities, location, and layout of a private sewage disposal system shall comply with all recommendations of the Department of Public Health of the State of Maryland. No septic tank or cesspool shall be permitted to discharge to any natural outlet. 115-11 Connection To Public Sewer When Available; Abandonment And Filling Of Private Facilities At such time as a public sewer becomes available to a property served by a private sewage disposal system, as provided in § 115-6, a direct connection shall be made to the public sewer in compliance with this chapter, and any septic tanks, cesspools, and similar private sewage disposal facilities shall be abandoned and filled with suitable material at no expense to the Town. [Amended 12-18-2001 by Ord. No. 10-01] 115-12 Sanitary Operation Required The owner shall operate and maintain the private sewage disposal facilities in a sanitary manner at all times, at no expense to the Town. 115-13 Additional Requirements Of Health Officer No statement contained in this article shall be construed to interfere with any additional requirements that may be imposed by the Health Officer. 115-14 Connection Of Building Sewer To Public Sewer When a public sewer becomes available, the building sewer shall be connected to said sewer within 60 days, and the private sewage disposal system shall be cleaned of sludge and filled with clean bank-run gravel or dirt at no expense to the Town. [Amended 12-18-2001 by Ord. No. 10-01] 115-15 Conformance To Certain Regulations Required The connection of the building sewer into the public sewer shall conform to the requirements of the Building and Plumbing Codes or other applicable rules and regulations of the Town, or the procedures set forth in appropriate specifications of the American Society for Testing Materials and the Water Pollution Control Federation Manual of Practice No. 9. All such connections shall be made gastight and watertight. Any deviation from the prescribed procedures and materials must be approved by the Superintendent before installation at no expense to the Town. [Amended 12-18-2001 by Ord. No. 10-01] 115-16 Inspection Of Building Sewer Prior To Connection The applicant for the building sewer permit shall notify the Superintendent when the building sewer is ready for inspection and connection to the public sewer. The connection shall be made under the supervision of the Superintendent or his representative. 115-17 Guarding Of Excavations; Restoration Of Disturbed Property All excavations for building sewer installation shall be adequately guarded with barricades and lights so as to protect the public from hazard. Streets, sidewalks, parkways, and other public property disturbed in the course of the work shall be restored in a manner satisfactory to the Town. Ch 115 Art IV Use Of Public Sewers 115-18 Prohibited Water 115-19 Discharge Of Unpolluted Drainage And Industrial Cooling Water 115-20 Prohibited Discharges 115-21 Substances Harmful To Sewers Or Treatment Equipment 115-22 Rejection, Pretreatment And Payment Options 115-23 Grease, Oil And Sand Interceptors 115-24 Maintenance Of Facilities By Owner 115-25 Control Manhole 115-26 Measurements, Tests, And Analyses 115-27 Special Agreements And Arrangements 115-18 Prohibited Water No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any stormwater, surface water, groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, uncontaminated cooling water, or unpolluted industrial process waters to any sanitary sewer. 115-19 Discharge Of Unpolluted Drainage And Industrial Cooling Water Stormwater and all other unpolluted drainage shall be discharged to such sewers as are specifically designated as storm sewers or to a natural outlet approved by the Superintendent. Industrial cooling water or unpolluted process waters may be discharged, on written approval of the Superintendent, to a storm sewer or natural outlet. 115-20 Prohibited Discharges Any pollutants which create a fire or explosion hazard in the collection and treatment system, including, but not limited to, waste streams with a closed-cup flashpoint of less than 140° F. using the test method specified in 40 CFR 261.21. Pollutants include, but are not limited to, gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel oil, or other flammable or explosive liquid, solid, or gas. Any liquid having a pH lower than 6.0 or higher than 9.0 or having any property capable of causing damage or hazard to structures, equipment and personnel of the sewer works. pH deviations between 5.0 and 11.0 shall be permitted for a total of 10% of the time in an eight-hour work shift, provided the user installs and operates a pH-monitoring device to continuously monitor and record the pH of the discharge. Any discharge into public sewers of solid or viscous substances which may cause obstruction to the flow in the public sewer system, including, but not limited to, the following: Ashes. Cinders. Sand. Mud. Straw. Shavings. Metal. Glass. Rags. Paper products, either whole or ground by garbage grinders. Tar. Plastics. Wood or sawdust. Underground garbage. Whole blood. Paunch manure. Hair and fleshings. Entrails. Feathers. Bones. Slops. Chemical residues. Paint residues. Bulk solids. Syringes. Solid or viscous substances in quantities or of such size capable of causing obstruction to the flow in sewers, or other interference with the proper operation of the sewage works, such as but not limited to ashes, cinders, sand, mud, straw, shavings, metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar, plastic, wood, unground garbage, whole blood, paunch manure, hair, and fleshings, entrails, and paper dishes, cups, milk containers, etc., either whole or ground by garbage grinders. 115-21 Substances Harmful To Sewers Or Treatment Equipment No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged the following described substances, materials, waters, or wastes if it appears likely in the opinion of the Superintendent that such wastes can harm either the sewers, sewage treatment process, or equipment, have an adverse effect on the receiving stream, or can otherwise endanger life, limb, public property, or constitute a nuisance. Any liquid or vapor having a temperature higher than 150° F., or any substance which causes the temperature of the total wastewater treatment plant influent to exceed 104° F., any substance which inhibits biological activity in the treatment facility. Any liquid containing fats, wax, grease, nonbiodegradable cutting oil or oils of mineral, animal, vegetable or petroleum origin, whether emulsified or not, in excess of 100 mg/l or in any amounts that will cause interference or pass through. Lower limits may be applied where necessary to prevent specific problems. Any garbage that has not been properly shredded to a degree that all particles can be carried freely under the flow conditions normally prevailing in public sewers. Particles greater than one-half inch in any dimension are prohibited. Any waters or wastes containing strong acid iron pickling wastes, or other concentrated plating solutions whether neutralized or not. Any waters or wastes containing iron, chromium, copper, zinc, and similar objectionable or toxic substances; or wastes exerting an excessive chlorine requirement, to such degree that any such material received in the composite sewage at the sewage treatment works exceeds the limits established by the Superintendent for such materials. Any waters or wastes containing phenols or other taste- or odor-producing substances, in such concentrations exceeding limits which may be established by the Superintendent as necessary, after treatment of the composite sewage, to meet the requirements of the state, federal, or other public agencies of jurisdiction for such discharge to the receiving waters. Any radioactive wastes or isotopes of such half-life or concentration as may exceed limits established by the Superintendent in compliance with applicable state of federal regulations. Any waters or wastes having a pH in excess of 8.5. Materials which exert or cause: Unusual concentrations of inert suspended solids (such as, but not limited to, Fullers earth, lime slurries, and lime residues) or of dissolved solids (such as, but not limited to, sodium sulfate). Excessive discoloration (such as, but not limited to, dye wastes and vegetable tanning solutions). Unusual BOD, chemical oxygen demand, or chlorine requirements in such quantities as to constitute a significant load on the sewage treatment works. Unusual volume of flow or concentration of wastes constitution slugs as defined herein. Waters or wastes containing substances which are not amenable to treatment or reduction by the sewage treatment processes employed, or are amenable to treatment only to such degree that the sewage treatment plant effluent cannot meet the requirements of other agencies having jurisdiction over discharge to the receiving waters. [Amended 3-24-2016 by Ord. No. 08-2015] 115-22 Rejection, Pretreatment And Payment Options If any waters or wastes are discharged, or are proposed to be discharged to the public sewers, which waters contain the substances or possess the characteristics enumerated in § 115-21 of this article, and which in the judgment of the Superintendent, may have a deleterious effect upon the sewage works, processes, equipment, or receiving waters, or which otherwise create a hazard to life or constitute a public nuisance, the Superintendent may: Reject the wastes; Require pretreatment to an acceptable condition for discharge to the public sewers; Require control over the quantities and rates of discharge; and/or Require payment to cover the added cost of handling and treating the wastes not covered by existing taxes or sewer charges under the provisions of § 115-27 of this article. If the Superintendent permits the pretreatment or equalization of waste flows, the design and installation of the plants and equipment shall be subject to the review and approval of the Superintendent, and subject to the requirements of all applicable codes, ordinances, and laws. 115-23 Grease, Oil And Sand Interceptors Grease, oil, and sand interceptors shall be provided when, in the opinion of the Superintendent, they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid wastes containing grease in excessive amounts, or any flammable wastes, sand, or other harmful ingredients, except that such interceptors shall not be required for private living quarters or dwelling units. All interceptors shall be of a type and capacity approved by the Superintendent, and shall be located as to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection. 115-24 Maintenance Of Facilities By Owner Where preliminary treatment or flow-equalizing facilities are provided for any waters or wastes, they shall be maintained continuously in satisfactory and effective operation by the owner at his expense. 115-25 Control Manhole When required by the Superintendent, the owner of any property serviced by a building sewer carrying industrial wastes shall install a suitable control manhole, together with such necessary meters and other appurtenances, in the building sewer to facilitate observation, sampling, and measurement of the wastes. Such manhole, when required, shall be accessible and safely located, and shall be constructed in accordance with plans approved by the Superintendent. The manhole shall be installed by the owner at his expense, and shall be maintained by him so as to be safe and accessible at all times. 115-26 Measurements, Tests, And Analyses All measurements, tests, and analyses of the characteristics of waters and wastes to which reference is made in this chapter shall be determined in accordance with the latest edition of "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater," published by the American Public Health Association, and shall be determined at the control manhole provided, or upon suitable samples taken at said control manhole. In the event that no special manhole has been required, the control manhole shall be considered to be the nearest downstream manhole in the public sewer to the point at which the building sewer is connected. Sampling shall be carried out by customarily accepted methods to reflect the effect of constituents upon the sewage works and to determine the existence of hazards to life, limb, and property. The particular analyses involved will determine whether a twenty-four-hour composite of all outfalls of a premises is appropriate or whether a grab sample or samples should be taken. Normally, but not always, BOD and suspended solids analyses are obtained from twenty-four-hour composites of all outfalls whereas pH's are determined from periodic grab samples. 115-27 Special Agreements And Arrangements No statement contained in this article shall be construed as preventing any special agreement or arrangement between the Town and any industrial concern whereby an industrial waste of unusual strength or character may be accepted by the Town for treatment, subject to payment therefor by the industrial concern. Ch 115 Art V Building Sewers And Connections 115-28 Building Sewer Permit Required 115-29 Classes Of Building Sewer Permits 115-30 Costs Of Installation And Connection 115-31 Separate Sewers Required; Exception 115-32 Use Of Old Building Sewers 115-33 Conformance Of Materials And Testing To Certain Standards 115-34 Lifting Of Building Drain 115-35 Surface Water Runoff And Groundwater 115-28 Building Sewer Permit Required No unauthorized person shall uncover, make any connections with or opening into, use, alter, or disturb any public sewer or appurtenance thereof without first obtaining a written permit from the Superintendent. 115-29 Classes Of Building Sewer Permits There shall be two classes of building sewer permits: for residential and commercial service, and for service to establishments producing industrial wastes. In either case, the owner or his agent shall make application on a special form furnished by the Town. The permit application shall be supplemented by any plans, specifications, or other information considered pertinent in the judgment of the Superintendent. A permit and inspection fee at the current applicable rate for a residential or commercial building or for an industrial building sewer permit shall be paid to the Town at the time the application is filed. 115-30 Costs Of Installation And Connection All costs and expense incident to the installation and connection of the building sewer shall be borne by the owner. The owner shall indemnify the Town from any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly be occasioned by the installation of the building sewer. 115-31 Separate Sewers Required; Exception A separate and independent building sewer shall be provided for every building, except where one building stands at the rear of another on an interior lot and no private sewer is available or can be constructed to the rear building through an adjoining alley, court, yard, or driveway, the building sewer from the front building may be extended to the rear building and the whole considered as one building sewer. 115-32 Use Of Old Building Sewers Old building sewers may be used in connection with new buildings only when they are found, on examination and test by the Superintendent, to meet all requirements of this chapter. 115-33 Conformance Of Materials And Testing To Certain Standards The size, slope, alignment, materials of construction of a building sewer, and the methods to be used in excavating, placing of the pipe, jointing, testing, and backfilling the trench shall all conform to the requirements of the Building and Plumbing Codes or other applicable rules and regulations of the Town. In the absence of code provisions or in amplification thereof, the materials and procedures set forth in appropriate specification of the American Society for Testing Materials and Water Pollution Control Federation Manual of Practice No. 9 shall apply. 115-34 Lifting Of Building Drain Whenever possible, the building sewer shall be brought to the building at an elevation below the basement floor. In all buildings in which any building drain is too low to permit gravity flow to the public sewer, sanitary sewage carried by such building drain shall be lifted by an approved means and discharged to the building sewer. 115-35 Surface Water Runoff And Groundwater No person shall make connection of roof downspouts, exterior foundation drains, areaway drains, or other sources of surface runoff or groundwater to a building sewer or building drain which in turn is connected directly or indirectly to a public sanitary sewer. Ch 115 Art VI Protection From Damage 115-36 Tampering With Equipment Prohibited 115-37 Arrest For Disorderly Conduct 115-36 Tampering With Equipment Prohibited No unauthorized person shall maliciously, willfully, or negligently break, damage, destroy, uncover, deface, or tamper with any structure, appurtenance, or equipment which, is a part of the sewage works. 115-37 Arrest For Disorderly Conduct Any person violating this provision shall be subject to immediate arrest under charge of disorderly conduct. Ch 115 Art VII Powers And Authority Of Inspectors 115-38 Right Of Entry; Limitation Of Authority Of Superintendent 115-39 Observance Of Company Safety Rules; Indemnification 115-40 Right Of Entry On Private Property Through Easement 115-38 Right Of Entry; Limitation Of Authority Of Superintendent The Superintendent and other duly authorized employees of the Town bearing proper credentials and identification shall be permitted to enter all properties for the purposes of inspection, observation, measurement, sampling, and testing in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The Superintendent or his representatives shall have no authority to inquire into any processes including metallurgical, chemical, oil, refining, ceramic, paper, or other industries beyond that point having a direct bearing on the kind and source of discharge to the sewers or waterways or facilities for waste treatment. 115-39 Observance Of Company Safety Rules; Indemnification While performing the necessary work on private properties referred to in § 115-38 above, the Superintendent or duly authorized employees of the Town shall observe all safety rules applicable to the premises established by the company, and the company shall be held harmless for injury or death to the Town employees and the Town shall indemnify the company against loss or damage to its property by Town employees and against liability claims and demands for personal injury or property damage asserted against the company and growing out of the gauging and sampling operation, except as such may be caused by negligence or failure of the company to maintain safe conditions as required in § 115-25. 115-40 Right Of Entry On Private Property Through Easement The Superintendent and other duly authorized employees of the Town bearing proper credentials and identification shall be permitted to enter all private properties through which the Town holds a duly negotiated easement for the purpose of, but not limited to, inspection, observation, measurement, sampling, repair, and maintenance of any portion of the sewage works lying within said easement. All entry and subsequent work, if any, on said easement, shall be done in full accordance with the terms of the duly negotiated easement pertaining to the private property involved. Ch 115 Art VIII Enforcement 115-41 Notice Of Violation 115-42 Violations And Penalties 115-43 Liability For Expenses 115-44 Enforcement 115-45 Variances 115-41 Notice Of Violation Any person found to be violating any provision of this chapter except Article VI shall be served by the Town with written notice stating the nature of the violation and providing a reasonable time limit for the satisfactory correction thereof. The offender shall, within the period of time stated in such notice, permanently cease all violations. 115-42 Violations And Penalties Any person who shall continue any violation beyond the time limit provided for in Article VIII, § 115-41, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be subject to the penalties provided in § § 1-14.B.5.d of the Town Code. Each day in which any such violation shall continue shall be deemed a separate offense. Any person who knowingly makes any false statements, representation or certification in any application, record, report, plan or other document required to be maintained pursuant to this chapter or industrial waste permit, or who falsifies, tampers with, or knowingly renders inaccurate any monitoring device or method required under this chapter shall, upon conviction, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor subject to the penalties provided in § 1-14.B.5.d of the Town Code. Violation of this chapter shall be a matter of public record and open to public review and reproduction upon request. In addition, the Town may, in its discretion, publish information pertaining to any violations of this chapter in any newspaper of general circulation within the Town and/or on the Town's website. [Amended 3-24-2016 by Ord. No. 08-2015] HISTORY Amended by Ord. 13-2024 Amended Penalty Sections throughout the Code on 1/2/2025 Adopted by Res. 19-2024 Establishing certain fines to be paid to the Town of Centreville for Municipal Infractions pursuant to the Authority set forth in the Town of Centreville Charter and Code of the Town of Centreville on 1/2/2025 115-43 Liability For Expenses Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall become liable to the Town for any expense, loss, or damage occasioned the Town by reason of such violation. 115-44 Enforcement Suspension of treatment. The Town may suspend the wastewater treatment service, suspend a wastewater discharge permit or cut off the sewer connection when such suspension or cutoff is necessary, in the opinion of the Town; in order to stop an actual or threatened discharge which: Presents or may present an imminent or substantial danger to the health or welfare of persons; Presents or may present an imminent or substantial danger to the environment; May cause or actually causes interference to the WWTP; or Causes the WWTP to violate any condition of its state discharge permit or county, state, or federal laws or regulations. Reinstatement of service. The Town may reinstate the wastewater discharge permit or the wastewater treatment service upon proof of the elimination of the noncomplying discharge. In the event of a suspension or cutoff under this section, within 15 days the user shall submit a written report describing the event that caused the suspension and the measures taken to prevent any recurrence. Suspension of water service. Should the Town be unable to suspend wastewater treatment service, suspend a wastewater discharge permit or cut off the sewer connection, the Town may suspend water service until proof of the elimination of the noncomplying discharge is submitted to the Town. Issuance of notice or order. After or concurrently with service of a notice of violation under this chapter, the Town may: Issue an order that requires the person to whom the order is directed to take corrective action within a time set in the order; or Send a written notice that requires the person to whom the notice is directed to file a written report about the alleged violation. Issuance of notice or order. After or concurrently with service of a notice of violation under this chapter, the Town may: Issue an order that requires the person to whom the order is directed to take corrective action within a time set in the order; or Send a written notice that requires the person to whom the notice is directed to file a written report about the alleged violation. Hearings. A person or entity that has been issued an order pursuant to this section shall have a right to a hearing before the Town Council upon written request served upon the Town Clerk within 10 days after being served with the order. A hearing requested pursuant to this subsection shall be informal, and the formal rules of evidence shall not apply. At the hearing, the Town shall bear the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence that there has been a violation of this chapter. The Town Council shall have the power to affirm, overturn or modify an order issued pursuant to this section. Finality of orders. Unless the person served with an order makes a timely request for a hearing, the order shall become final. If the person served with an order under this chapter makes a timely request for a hearing, the order shall become a final corrective order if the Town Council affirms the issuance of the order in its decision following the hearing, as amended. Other action permitted. This section does not prevent the Town from taking any other action against a violator that the law permits. The Town may bring an action for injunctive relief against any person who violates any provision of this chapter or any rule, regulation, order, or permit adopted or issued under this chapter. In any action for injunctive relief under this section, findings of fact by the Town Council as a result of any hearing that takes place pursuant to Subsection F above shall be prima facie evidence as to each such fact. On a showing that any person is violating or is about to violate this chapter or any rule, regulation, or order of the Town, the court may grant an injunction without requiring a showing of a lack of an adequate remedy at law. If an emergency arises due to imminent danger to the public health or welfare, or imminent danger to the environment, the Town may seek an immediate injunction or ex parte temporary restraining order to stop any pollution or other activity that is causing the danger or to take other corrective action. If any person discharges sewage, industrial wastes or other wastes into the Town's wastewater disposal system contrary to the provisions of this chapter, federal or state pretreatment requirements, or any order of the Town, the Town may commence an action for appropriate legal and/or equitable relief in the appropriate court. In any proceeding pursuant to this chapter, including any hearing before the Town Council, in which the Town prevails, the Town shall be entitled to seek reimbursement of attorneys' fees and costs of litigation against any party who is found to be in violation of this chapter. [Added 3-24-2016 by Ord. No. 08-2015] 115-45 Variances The Town Council may grant a variance or exemption from the requirements of this chapter if the applicant submits a written request setting forth the reasons for such request and any supporting documentation, including reports of experts, and establishes in a public hearing in which the applicant may testify and call witnesses, including expert witnesses, and establishes to the satisfaction of a majority of the members of the Town Council by a preponderance of the evidence that: The strict enforcement of the provision of this chapter from which a variance is sought would be manifestly unjust, considering all the relevant facts and circumstances; and A level of protection to the Town sanitary sewer system at least equivalent to that provided under this regulation can be achieved without strict application of the provision from which a variance is sought. [Added 3-24-2016 by Ord. No. 08-2015] Ch 115 Art IX FOG Prevention 115-46 Regulation Of Fats, Oil And Grease (FOG) Produced By Commercial Food Establishments 115-47 Grease Traps; Oil; Sand Interceptors [Added 3-24-2016 by Ord. No. 08-2015] 115-46 Regulation Of Fats, Oil And Grease (FOG) Produced By Commercial Food Establishments General requirements for commercial food establishments. General standards. Each CFE is subject to and must comply with the standards and procedures set out in this document. A violation of this section or any other applicable sections of this chapter shall be subject to the enforcement provisions. Maintenance of traps and interceptors. Each CFE shall clean its grease trap and/or interceptor at the minimum frequency specified in the BMP Manual, unless required more frequently by the Department of Public Works or unless required to maintain the efficient operation of the unit. All exterior-located grease traps and interceptors shall be serviced by a grease hauler licensed by the State of Maryland to transport such waste. Recordkeeping. Each CFE shall maintain a grease trap and/or interceptor maintenance log on a standardized form specified by the Department of Public Works and shall make such log available for inspection by the Town upon request. All service receipts, logs and maintenance records shall be kept on file for a minimum of two years and made available for the Town's inspection upon request. This period shall be extended during any litigation concerning compliance with this chapter or permit conditions. The service receipt, at a minimum, shall contain the name and address of the facility serviced, the volume of the waste removed, the date and time of service and the name and address of the waste hauler providing the service. Posting of signs. Each CFE must prominently display the date of the last cleaning of the grease trap and/or interceptor. In addition, every CFE must post at least one sign near the sink or other drainage area, reminding employees not to place fats, oil or grease down a drain. 115-47 Grease Traps; Oil; Sand Interceptors Grease traps, oil and/or sand interceptors of 50 gallons or less in capacity shall be located as to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection. Grease traps, oil and/or sand interceptors larger than fifty-gallon-capacity shall be located outside the building and easily accessible for inspection, cleaning, and maintenance. All new construction requiring grease traps, oil and/or sand interceptors shall have a minimum storage capacity of 1,000 gallons and each shall be an internally baffled tank constructed of concrete or fiberglass, unless otherwise approved by the Director of Public Works or his designee. All grease traps shall comply with the discharge restrictions described in this chapter. In addition to all other sections of this chapter, the following special provisions apply to establishments required to provide a grease trap including, but not limited to, CFE. Grease trap maintenance: over 50 gallons. Grease trap maintenance is critical to the grease trap's performance. Each CFE is required to maintain the grease trap in satisfactory operating condition by the periodic removal of the entire contents of the grease trap. All costs for inspections, pumping, sampling, analysis, or other maintenance is the responsibility of the CFE owner or operator. Property owners of commercial properties are responsible for the installation and maintenance of a grease trap that serves multiple CFEs that are located on a single parcel or development. To ensure that the grease trap is working as it was designed, the following maintenance procedures are required for grease traps over 50 gallons: Content removal. Maintenance must include the complete removal of the entire contents, including floating materials, wastewater, settled solids and grease accumulated on the side of the device. Decanting or discharging of removed waste or wastewater back into the grease trap from which the waste or wastewater was removed or any other grease trap for the purpose of reducing the volume to be disposed of is strictly prohibited. No FOG that has accumulated in a grease trap is allowed to pass into any sewer lateral, sewer system, storm drain, or public right-of-way during maintenance activities. Maintenance frequency. All grease traps must be pumped out completely by a permitted waste hauler whenever the accumulation of grease and solids is 25% of the grease trap's overall liquid depth or at least once every 90 days, whichever is more stringent. Exception to this minimum frequency of pumping may be made with special written approval from the Town for generators of small quantities of grease waste. In no case will the frequency of pumping be less than once every six months. Prohibition of additives. The introduction of additives such as bacteria, enzymes, emulsifiers, or similar chemicals designed for the purpose of emulsifying or controlling FOG discharge into grease traps or associated plumbing is strictly prohibited. Septage hauler. All CFEs must ensure that all recovered contents of the grease trap be removed and disposed of by a permitted septage hauler. Self-cleaning grease trap maintenance: under 50 gallons. Proper on-site material disposal methods shall be demonstrated and implemented (e.g., absorb liquids into solid form and dispose into trash, and collected grease is transported by a permitted septage hauler). The grease and floatable solids must be removed a minimum of once a week, and the entire contents of the grease trap is removed from the grease trap and baffles at a minimum of once every 30 days. All records of grease trap self-cleaning maintenance must be handwritten with permanent ink and logged. Grease trap self-cleaning maintenance logs must include, at a minimum, the date and time of cleaning, total gallons removed, method of disposal, and the name of the person witnessing the cleaning. The maintenance logs must be readily available for inspection and retained on site for a minimum of three years. Best management practices. All CFEs are required to implement the following BMPs in order to prevent and reduce the quantity of FOG discharged to the grease trap, sanitary sewer system, and storm sewer system. Each CFE shall adopt and create BMPs that work for the establishment's needs. Scrape pots and pans prior to washing. Do not pour, scrape, or otherwise dispose of fats, oils, or grease into the sink or drains. Collect fryer oil and store in barrels for recycling. Dry sweep floors prior to washing and mopping. Place collected material from sweeping in trash receptacles. Dump mop water only to drains connected to your FOG treatment system. Use absorbents to soak up spills containing fats, oils, and grease. Do not put food (including liquid food), including, but not limited to, milkshakes, syrups, batters and gravy down the drain. Use strainers on sinks and floor drains to prevent solid material from entering the sewer system. Post "No FOG" signs near sinks and drains. If you have an automatic grease recovery device, empty the collection pan before it becomes full. Provide your employees with the proper equipment for cleaning your grease trap/interceptor or grease recovery device. Train all kitchen staff in the best management practices for FOG disposal and the impacts of FOG accumulation in the sewer system. Provide regular refresher training/discussion for proper disposal of fats, oils, and grease for all employees. Establish a schedule for cleaning grease-laden areas (e.g., fryers, vents, grills, etc.). Inspect grease traps/interceptors after pumping to ensure adequate cleaning and proper functioning. Drain screens shall be installed on all drainage pipes in food preparation areas. This includes kitchen sinks, floor drains, and mop sinks, Drain screens shall be cleaned as needed.